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Wild Ridge Vineyards

Wild Ridge Pinot Noir is grown on a vineyard on the far western edge of the Sonoma Coast at 900 feet elevation, a stone's throw from the hamlet of Annapolis.

The winemaker is Craig McAllister, a New Zealand native who worked in New Zealand and Australia before joining La Crema as an enologist. After harvests in Chile and Cyprus, he returned to La Crema and became assistant winemaker in 2011. He joined Wild Ridge in 2011.

Reviewed Wines

2013 Wild Ridge Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH
3.45, TA 0.57, 3,153 cases, $50. This offering is part of the
Jackson Family Wines’ West Burgundy Wine Collective that is a
small estate-based portfolio of site-driven Pinot Noir and
Chardonnay from top West Coast appellations. Vineyard is
located very close to Annapolis at 900 feet elevation. Goldridge
soils, marine air influence and surrounding forest. This wine is
100% estate grown at the Annapolis vineyard located in the
extreme western reaches of the Sonoma Coast AVA. 700 to 900
foot elevation, three miles from Pacific Ocean on top of the third
ridge inland surrounded by coastal Redwoods, with Goldridge
sand loam soils. Clones are Pommard 5, 115, 667 and 777.
100% de-stemmed, 3 to 4-day cold soak, inoculated with cultured
yeast, fermented in open-top tanks, free-run wine aged 10
months in French oak barrels, 50% new.
·Moderate reddish purple
color in the glass. The nose reminds of a walk along a forest trail in the morning, with added aromas of
blackberry and black cherry. A mid weight plus styled wine with plenty of blueberry-pomegranate and spice
flavors to satisfy. The angular tannins are nicely balanced, oak provides a complimentary touch, and the wine
finishes with some persistent blueberry goodness. The wine is a bit rustic and wild, but that adds to its appeal.Score:90.
Reviewed June 5, 2015ARTICLE&nbsp»

2012 Wild Ridge Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $37. Sourced from a Kendall-Jackson property in
Annapolis on the West Sonoma Coast.
·Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The aromatic profile is
similar to an amarone with raisined fruit and oak-driven notes of bark, nuts and vanilla cream. Very ripe fruited
flavor profile featuring purple and black berries and a burnt raisin and savory herb note. Balanced tannins
make for easy drinking, but the finish throws a bit of alcoholic heat. Not nearly as good as the 2011 vintage that I
reviewed previously.Score:85.
Reviewed April 20, 2015ARTICLE&nbsp»

2011 Wild Ridge Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.2% alc.,
$33. This vineyard is located near the hamlet of
Annapolis at 900 feet elevation. Goldridge soil, cool
maritime air, and surrounding dense forest.
·Moderate
reddish purple color in the glass. Very savory with
aromas of wild berries, spice, forest floor and mushroom.
Soft and smooth on the palate with flavors of blueberries, cherries,
black raspberries, animale, and spice with a vein of savory herbs
running through the background. Juicy, with integrated tannins and
an extended finish.Score:91.
Reviewed July 19, 2014ARTICLE&nbsp»